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Tatler Asia
5 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Retro-Luxe Hotels: 9 glamorous stays that bring back vintage style
One of the world's most iconic retro-luxe hotels, Raffles Singapore, opened 1887, is a time capsule of colonial splendour. Its 1899 neo-Renaissance main building by Regent Alfred John Bidwell featured then-modern powered ceiling fans. The architecture showcases whitewashed walls, polished teak verandahs, marble colonnades, and palm-filled courtyards. Interiors epitomise the Raffles Singapore style: teakwood floors, 14-ft ceilings, mahogany furniture, and Victorian-detailed bathrooms with Peranakan tiles. The legendary Long Bar, restored by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud and her team at the global design team Aedas, retains its plantation style with palm-shaped ceiling fans and monochrome rattan chairs, offering a taste of historic Singapore luxury. Order the original Singapore Sling, invented here in 1915, and toast to history. Also read: 6 Icons not to miss at Raffles Hotel Singapore, including the Singapore Sling and Long Bar's peanut littering traditio n 2. Hotel Esencia (Tulum, Mexico): a barefoot-luxury hotel with mid-century soul Once the seaside retreat of an Italian duchess on a majestic 50-acre estate, Hotel Esencia offers a masterclass in barefoot luxury with a retro soul in Tulum. Tucked between jungle and sea, its hacienda-style architecture features traditional archways, with the Main House as its historical centerpiece. The design—think Mad Men meets Peggy Guggenheim—curated by owner Kevin Wendle, blends mid-century treasures with Mexican antiques against breezy white concrete interiors accented by bright primary colours, capturing 1950s jet-set nostalgia. Studio Giancarlo Valle incorporated organic forms and traditional Mexican craft, from Guadalajara tiles and Oaxaca rugs to locally carved wood furniture. Designer pieces like Charlotte Perriand chairs and Picasso ceramics enhance this unique Mexican getaway. The spa's carved stone tub evokes ancient Mayan rituals even as hidden speakers provide the soundtrack, perfecting this retro-luxe Tulum experience. 3. The Siren Hotel (Detroit, USA)— a restored Wurlitzer building with vintage Detroit glamour Inside a lovingly restored 1926 Wurlitzer building designed by Robert Finn in Italian Renaissance Revival style, The Siren Hotel in Detroit is a love letter to faded grandeur and new-world creativity. ASH NYC and Quinn Evans Architects preserved original travertine floors and plaster ceiling details, informing the lobby's antiques and mossy green walls. Bold, jewel-toned spaces feature a palette of soft whites, pale pinks, and deep oxblood, with guest rooms in muted pink and burgundy. Art Deco influences shine in its design, with Art Nouveau styled sirens at the entrance. Velvet seating, including pink banquettes in the Candy Bar with its sparkling chandelier, and custom terrazzo bathroom tiles, conjure old-Hollywood energy. This historic Detroit hotel even features an in-house barbershop reminiscent of a Wes Anderson set piece, making for a truly vintage-inspired stay. 4. Hotel Locarno (Rome, Italy)—Art Deco charm in a historic Roman hotel A favourite of artists (like the legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini) since the 1920s, Hotel Locarno in Rome drips with Roman romanticism and Art Deco charm. Its 1925 main building and annexed 1905 palazzo showcase oil paintings, parquet floors, and embellished ceiling stuccoes. Each uniquely decorated room in this historic Rome hotel features antique fixtures, lavish draperies and luxurious tapestries. Suites like the Venezia boast Art Nouveau-inspired coffered ceilings with gilded mouldings and marble terrazzo floors, while the Bellevie suite offers a forest green marble bathroom with a 1920s dressing table. An art-nouveau birdcage elevator, tasseled keys, and vintage bicycles available at the entrance complete the 1920s glamour. The rooftop bar provides aperitivo with a cinematic backdrop, perfect for a glamourous Rome experience. 5. Le Grand Mazarin (Paris, France)—Parisian Elegance with Rococo Revival style Designed by Martin Brudnizki in Le Marais, this theatrical Parisian hideaway, Le Grand Mazarin, revisits French classicism with a modern, whimsical twist, inspired by aristocratic literary salons. It's a riot of rococo revival, where pastel velvets from Maison Pierre Frey and Belle Époque-style chandeliers by Maison Lucien Gau meet fine lacquered paneling. Collaborations with esteemed French craft houses like Henryot & Cie for furniture and Ateliers Gohard for Boubalé restaurant's gilded ceiling ensure authenticity in this luxury Marais hotel. The feel of being in a collector's home is enhanced by bespoke pieces, flea market finds and over 500 artworks, with a hand-painted pool ceiling by Jacques Merle. And while retro glamour runs deep, the service and spa are refreshingly 21st century. 6. The Colony Hotel (Palm Beach, Florida)—vintage Americana and Palm Beach chic come together A candy-coloured gem of old Palm Beach society since 1947, The Colony Hotel embodies cheeky glamour and vintage Americana. Its iconic 'Colony pink' exterior and 'Brazilliance' banana-leaf wallpaper were Carleton Varney additions in 2014. Redesigns by Kemble Interiors feature custom de Gournay monkey wallpaper, scalloped headboards in Schumacher fabric, and rattan armoires by Society Social, defining Palm Beach chic. The lobby shines with Art Deco chandeliers, while velvet, bamboo and wicker abound. The poolside, with its vibrant umbrellas (likely scalloped and pink) and cabanas with Matouk linens, evokes a Slim Aarons world, perfect for a retro Florida getaway. It's his world—and you're just sipping rosé in it. 7. The Hoxton (Brussels, Belgium)—70s design in a Brutalist Brussels hotel Housed in the 1970s Brutalist Victoria Building, The Hoxton, Brussels, softens its imposing structure with retro design by AIME Studios. The vibe is disco-era-Brussel- meets-Brooklyn-loft, blending 70s charm with art-filled modernity. Warm wood finishes and sleek wooden furniture pair with terrazzo and parquet bedroom floors. The lobby features geometric patterns, bold terracotta and burnt orange velvet, dark-wood paneling, and visible raw concrete pillars. Rooms in this unique Brussels hotel boast striped headboards, graphic rugs, curved lamps and Roberts radios. Bathrooms offer a pastel palette with primary colour accents, and bespoke murals add local artistic flair, creating a truly retro-luxe Brussels stay. 8. Château Voltaire (Paris, France)—Parisian decadence in a fashionable boutique hotel An ode to layered Parisian decadence in a 17th-century townhouse, Château Voltaire combines smoky mirrors (implied by its sultry bar) and rich textures (like fringed velvet). Conceived by Thierry Gillier of Zadig & Voltaire with Franck Durand and Festen Architecture, this boutique hotel in Paris mixes mid-century and baroque references with a 1940s-inspired deep-pile black carpet. Expect velvet sofas, velvets in ochre and navy, aged brass, encaustic tiles, creamy plaster walls, handmade glazed ceramic tiles and sultry marble. Bespoke headboards, solid oak wall lights, cubist canvases and custom Art Deco lighting create a sophisticated escape worthy of a Godard heroine, offering a unique taste of Parisian cool design. 9. Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy)—Art Nouveau palace with lakeside glamour Perched regally on Lake Como's edge since 1910, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an Art Nouveau palace that delivers ultimate retro luxury, evoking early 20th-century European high society. Imagine candy-striped loungers—a fitting image for its glamorous pools—a stunning floating water-on-the-water pool on the lake, plus the charming Flowers Pool and an indoor-outdoor infinity pool. Interiors of this historic Italian hotel feature gilded salons, frescoed ceilings (notably in Villa Emilia spa with its original mosaics), plush red velvet furniture and silk wallpaper. Every corridor is an Instagram post waiting to happen. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Discover Singapore, its nature, the Raffles, bike routes and Pulau Ubin
Nature, heritage, tranquillity and luxury all await visitors to Singapore whether they have money to spend or are seeking a budget-friendly Lion City experience. Advertisement Tourists can explore extensive cycling routes or indulge in a luxurious Raffles Hotel experience. There is Pulau Ubin island's serenity a stone's throw from the city, and an insider's guide to the top spots in Tanjong Pagar and the Civic District. Explore why Singapore has devoted decades to naturalising the city, integrating nature into urban life, boasting extensive green spaces and diverse wildlife. The transformation from a Garden City to a City in Nature offers much to enjoy for tourists and locals alike, but is it ready for the challenges of climate change? Insights from local Lion City experts uncover the delights of the historic Civic District and vibrant Tanjong Pagar conservation area. Our three expert insiders offer tips for visitors to help you indulge in the best culinary experiences and uncover unique shopping spots. Cycling around Singapore has never been easier or more rewarding with its network of routes taking in the historic Rail Corridor, scenic coastal paths, lush landscapes and heritage sites. And things are to get even better for cycling tourism with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 aiming to create up to 1,300km of safe routes. The Raffles Hotel in Singapore has been extensively revamped. Photo: Raffles Hotel Extensively revamped after a 2½ year restoration, Singapore's iconic Raffles Hotel reopened its lavish doors a few years ago to offer the well-heeled a taste of 19th-century charm combined with 21st-century luxury. Guests can enjoy dedicated butler service, in-room iPads, exquisite dining experiences and, of course, a Singapore Sling in the legendary Long Bar. Discover Pulau Ubin, a serene island just a short hop from the urban sprawl, offering a nostalgic glimpse into 1960s village life alongside lush jungle, tranquil lakes and historic sites. Perfect for nature lovers and history enthusiasts, the small island offers a peaceful escape from the busy modern city. Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI
